Decals dont stick

Did you wash and clean the surface first and was it glossy or grainy? The contaminated surface being oil or chemicals may have been a factor with the adhesion issue.

Wipe the area down with rubbing alcohol and a clean rag then try using Solvaset solution after applying the decals. The Solvaset will melt the decal to the surface.

Inkjet decals have a thicker carrier layer than some of the better factory made decals.  They get even thicker when you overcoat them, so they often want to curl strongly.  They must be applied to a very smooth, glossy surface (prepare the area where the decals will be applied with a gloss coat, either future or a gloss clear paint).  While solvent may be required, I find a setting solution is usually adequate.

Did you apply the decals directly to a plastic surface with no paint?  Some plastics have an oily surface which will prevent bonding.  For these plastics you must wash them and prime them for anything to stick to them.

No,  I didn't clean the surface.  I'll give that a try.  I forgot about Solvaset.  I used it years ago on the models I used to build.

Thanks for the advice.

Yes, to a clear plastic surface.  A plastic box I want to use as a fly box.  I'll give it a good cleaning and get some setting solution.

Thank you for the ideas

Alcohol for the cleaning and Solvaset should do the job.

ermmm.... "plastic plano boxes" ? eh?

Are these made of Styrene, ABS, Acrylic or similar,  in which it should be ok...

or that  'waxy' Poly-Vinyl' type stuff, in which case the only stuff that will stick to it is stuff you don't want to...

If you got a Sign shop nearby they could make you some 'bumper sticker' type vinyl labels for you.  

I'm afraid its the poly-vinyl stuf.  It is pretty "flexible" not like abs or acrylic.  So that may be my only option.  I never thought about that.  I may try the alcohol and Solvaset later today and see what happens.  I have a Tower Hobby just down the street, maybe than can look at the box and advise me as to the type and whether or not decals will stick.

If not, then the vinyl should work.

Many thanks to everyone for your help.

Now that I remember, years ago I bought a Plano multi drawer tackle box to be used to store small screws and misc radio control equipment. This particular box was perfect to store small engine parts etc. I applied some of the Enya, Saito and OS RC engine stickers which will hold an elephant  but they eventually started to curl and lift. I still have the box and occasionally have to press them back down.  

another possible option is to stick the decals on and let them dry

then, after they dry, but before they start to peel off, cover them with the 2 inch wide clear tape intended for closing up shipping boxes.  They are in stores near the padded envelopes, if they have any.

I use that tape as a wrap around every bottle of paint I have,,,,,to keep any paint spills from wiping out the name and number on the label.

None of them have peeled off, and I tested one with some blue paint held up against the tape edge, and it won't let paint wick under it

just an idea,,,,,,,,it might work,,,,,,and at the very least, you would be smoothing down tape instead of worrying about tearing decals when you smooth those down

Rex

Go to your local business supply store, Staples and such. They have various papers like "bumper sticker", tattoo, clear vinyl papers for ink jets. Cool stuff

This is somewhat related.

At a garage sale I bought a batch of those white/clear plastic storage cabinets with the multiple drawers. (You know, you usually find them at Walmart). The clear drawers appears to be made of the same plastic as the Plano storage boxes.

Anyway these must have belonged to a little girl because they had kid type stickers all over them. I thought these would just peel right off. Nope! It was going to be a major PIA!  I finally just left them as my granddaughters thought it was pretty cool to have the Disney Princesses dancing across the front of papa's modeling supplies!